"India is a developing country, we have very many issues to address, all that is fine but it is not fine to broadcast this toilet humour."

He added: "There are many parts of the programme that people have complained about.

"It's not only Indians, it's also our British friends - it goes much beyond."

The diplomat cited an "offensive" banner placed on the side of a train - reading "the United Kingdom promotes British IT for your company" - which read quite differently when the carriages were parted.

And he also criticised a scene in the programme which showed Clarkson taking off his trousers at a party to demonstrate how to use a trouser press.

Showing off the customised Jaguar, complete with toilet roll on its aerial, presenter Jeremy Clarkson said on the programme: "This is perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots."

In April last year, a Top Gear episode which caused controversy with jokes branding Mexicans lazy and feckless and comparing Mexican food as "like sick with cheese on it", was cleared by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.

The show attracted 157 complaints but Ofcom said Top Gear was well known for its "irreverent style and sometimes outspoken humour".

The HCI spokesman said he had yet to hear back from the BBC and added: "In the letter, we did convey our disappointment because we have a long-standing relationship with the BBC which is one of admiration and co-operation."